At the dry tortugas, they focus on preserving the original look of the fort so there are no railings anywhere so you can literally go to the edge which gives you amazing views. Whether swimming, sun bathing or just plain strolling, you will enjoy the crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft, powdery sand of this island paradise. The dry tortugas consists of 7 keys and is located on the edge of the main shipping channel between the gulf of mexico and the atlantic ocean. Its a great day trip for the whole family, with views you cant see anywhere else. A history of fort jefferson, dry tortugas, florida florida history. It is also because of these large reefs surrounding the tortugas that the u.
The 1846 fort, fort jefferson located on garden key, is mightier than any other fort built across the nation, even though it. The islands history is explained well for the limitations of its space 71 pages. It is so large that after the ferry leaves, you will feel absolutely alone here. Camp sites are divvied up on a firstcome basis, so it makes sense to get off the boat and claim your preferred site quickly. It is dominated by its central feature, the majestic fort jefferson, the.
Exactly how to plan a dry tortugas day trip from key west. One of the best fort jefferson hotels by dry tortugas n. Fort jeffersons history includes having been an outpost, prison, and fueling station. Solution to old problems is irrelevant, just like the mighty fort jefferson is useless in the age of ironclad war ships. No key west beach trip is complete without visiting the best beach in the florida keys. Though it was never completed, fort jefferson is the largest allmasonry fort in the united states.
The park is renowned for its marine life, pirate legends and sheer unspoiled beauty. Learn about the extraordinary history that fort jefferson and the dry tortugas national park have with key west seaplane adventures. Explore and learn of its history with one of our guides and. Garden key is the second largest island in the dry tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact. This remote part of the florida keys has had its fair share of history. Dont go to the dry tortugas without these 3 helpful tips. A history of fort jefferson, dry tortugas, florida. The dry tortugas visitor center is housed in two of the forts casemates large rooms for artillery pieces and serves largely as a small museum and book souvenir store. The ride out is just over two hours, and visitors typically spend four hours on garden key, checking out the fort and enjoying snorkeling. Probably the best book for telling the history and anecdotes about the dry tortugas. Occupants, union soldiers, confederate prisoners of war, civilians. Its not the first in the series, but we had just been to the dry tortugas and fort jefferson on a diving vacation and i was intrigued. Navy commodore david porter came to the dry tortugas on with the intentions of seeking out a lookout site for a naval station.
The dry tortugas rest at the western extremity of the massive florida reef. The island that fort jefferson is on is called garden key and it is the only location that the contracted ferry and seaplane are allowed to transport. Seaplane adventures rates to dry tortugas national park. Never before have visitors been able to stand in the midst of the nations only important sooty tern colony, explore fort jeffersons darkest secrets, or climb. Located on garden key is historic fort jefferson, one of the nations most extensive and ambitious 19thcentury forts and a central cultural feature of dry tortugas national park. Find out prices on yankee freedom ferry tickets, the official ferry of dry tortugas national park. Ft jefferson military history key west fort history yankee freedom. The park is located 70 nautical miles west of key west, florida and is known for its famous marine and bird life and military history. Built between 1846 and 1875, the massive fort was never finished. Fort jefferson is the largest coastal fort in the entire country with over 16 million bricks making up its structure and taking up a total of 11 acres out of garden keys total of 16 acres. When you visit the dry tortugas and fort jefferson, you are treated to one of the most unique national parks in the world.
At the time shipwrecks were common, and with underwater wrecks dating back to the 1600s, the dry tortugas currently possess one of the richest concentrations of shipwrecks in north america. Made up of seven small islands, the dry tortugas national park is one of the worlds most unique ecoattractions. Its also home to clear blue water, many species of birds, and some of the leastdisturbed coral reefs in the florida keys. Whichever it is, this was the first book in the series that i read a couple of years ago. This will be collected by park rangers during your stay. Edna gonzalez the dry tortugas are seven islands located 70 miles from the shores of key west, florida, and are accessib. Ferry service to dry tortugas temporarily suspended. Fort jefferson selfguided tour national park service. Fort jefferson dry tortugas national park trips key. In contrast to its idyllic setting, right at the centre lies fort jefferson, a historical fortress from the 19th century, jutting abruptly out of the horizon. Chart of the dry tortugas background the story of fort jefferson lies with the maritime history of the florida straits and the excellent harborage afforded by the dry tortugas. These two geographic features stand at a nexus of currents, winds, and shipping routes. Fort jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. This blend of geographical oases, exotic array of flora and fauna more on that later and interesting history makes the dry tortugas a mustdo for anyone vacationing in key west.
The dry tortugas national park fort jefferson interior. Today it is a quiet sanctuary for wildlife and intrepid visitors. Dry tortugas national park books and guides national parked. Book direct for the best rate and real time reservations. The dry tortugas have a unique role in the history of the united states in part thanks to its massive fort, fort jefferson.
Dry tortugas is an island one of 7 and fortification 70 miles off the coast of key west. Navy commodore david porter inspected the dry tortugas islands. Jefferson by water is a fullday happening that begins with a 7. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance. Exhibits in one casemate cover the military history of the park, and a number of artifacts found on the island are on display. Piracy in this part of the world was rampant, and the americans wanted desperately to stamp it out. Dry tortugas national park key west 2020 all you need. The story of fort jefferson lies with the maritime history of the florida straits and the excellent harborage afforded by the. Fort jefferson, a highlight of any day trip to dry tortugas national park. Perceived as the nations leading maximumsecurity prison, the fort also held several of the accused conspirators in. Net proceeds from the sale of products are returned to the national parks to support park educational and visitor service programs. We are the only seaplane service permitted in dry tortugas national park. History of fort jefferson at the dry tortugas national park.
Fort jefferson military history dry tortugas national park. Dry tortugas national park dry tortugas ferry yankee. The fort is located on garden key in the lower florida keys within the dry tortugas national park, about 70 miles 110 km west of the island of key west. Sometime in late december of 1824, and early january of 1825, the u. What to expect at the dry tortugas national park and how. Its walls were 50 feet high and had places for 450 cannons. Thomas reid americas fortress is the history of a littleknown military outpost and prison that has stood at the western extreme of the florida keys for over 150 years. Due to limited availability, camping reservations must be made by phone.
Dry tortugas national park history dry tortugas info. Fort jefferson dry tortugas national park 2020 all you. Dry tortugas virtual tour take a virtual tour of dry. Unless we get lucky again, it was a onceinalifetime experience, and looking back, it ranks among the most rare and memorable of our travel destinations. This is a nice hardcover book covering the history of this very unique and interesting place. Its crown jewel, the historic fort jefferson, was once used as a prison during the civil war. The union army occupied it as of 1861 and when the civil war ended in 1865, the fort was no longer needed. Perceived as the nations leading maximumsecurity prison, the fort also held several of the accused conspirators in the lincoln assassination. Known as the american gibraltar, fort jefferson, located in the dry tortugas, florida, was the most heavily armed coastal defense fort in united states history. They warn you to be very careful since the closest hospital is over 2 12 hours away. Army in 1846 to assist in the fight against piracy in the caribbean sea.
An abandoned island fortress off florida in the lower florida keys, within the dry tortugas national park theres an unfinished and abandoned island fortress, which is the largest masonry structure in the americas. The beaches are fine and it was interesting to walk around the fort and read all the history. The fort is a delightful maze of spiral staircases, gun emplacements, and instructional interpretive signage and displays that any history buff will eat up. The islands loggerhead key, with dry tortugas lighthouse 46 meters high, 250 by 1200 meters in size, with an area of. Fort jefferson dry tortugas national park, located just 70 miles west of key west. These seven islands are a rare combination of natural and historic resources. Generally, you dont expect to find such a rich history on an isolated tropical island, but fort jefferson holds many surprises. A history of fort jefferson, dry tortugas, florida florida history and culture by reid, thomas and a great selection of related books, art.
Delving into the history of fort jefferson at dry tortugas. He was on the lookout for a site for a naval station that would help suppress piracy in the caribbean. This trip is just under 4 hours long, providing at least 2 12 hours of island time at fort jeffersondry tortugas. Camping at fort jefferson national park in the dry tortugas is primitive camping. This is the largest allmasonry fortification in the western hemisphere and served as a civil war federal prison. This allmasonry fort is the largest in the united states. Fort jefferson is not only impressive, its actually the largest brick structure in the americas, with over 16 million blocks. Whether you fly or boat into dry tortugas national park, youll spot fort jefferson on garden key from miles away. It is dominated by its central feature, the majestic fort jefferson, the largest brick building in the western hemisphere. The dry tortugas national park lies in the gulf of mexico about 68 miles west of key west, florida. The dry tortugas are part of monroe county, florida, united states. The everglades association features books, videos, and related products about the flora, fauna, and history of everglades, biscayne, and dry tortugas national parks and big cypress national preserve. Today, dry tortugas is accessible via daily ferry from key bight in key west.
The fort was built to protect the nations gateway to the gulf of mexico and was also used as a prison during the civil war. Landrums book fort jefferson and the dry tortugas national park is an enjoyable book filled with many great color photographs. Fullday trip from key west to the dry tortugas which includes breakfast, lunch, and snorkeling. It talks about the development and building of the fort, its usage, and some of the people who passed through it. A history of fort jefferson, dry tortugas, florida this is a nice hardcover book covering the history of this very unique and interesting place. Fort jefferson and the dry tortugas national park l. Right there on its own website, the national park service warns you. Originally designed as a fort to hold 1500 soldiers, this fort covers almost the entire island of dry tortugas.
The dry tortugas national park encompasses 7 islands known for being the site of the 19th century fort jefferson. These are the days of glamping, where camping comes in a huge recreational vehicle with a kingsize bed and air conditioning or a tent the size of texas and wifi. Fort jefferson sits on garden key, the main island of the seven that make up the dry tortugas. Buy tickets online for yankee freedom iii dry tortugas ferry. We recommend calling 8 to12 months in advance to check for available spots and make a reservation. This is the most innovative interpretive tool that i have seen. The pictures are wonderful and since they spent so much time there as a.
Dry tortugas national park was proclaimed as fort jefferson national monument in 1935 and redesignated as dry tortugas national park in 1992. I found the book to be a very interesting and informative piece of history. To call camping at fort jefferson in dry tortugas national park an adventure would be an understatement. Fort jefferson is the most visited island of the dry tortugas and offer a historical look into the civil war era and is a marvel of a brick structure so large, it can easily be seen from space.
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